On Monday 21st of March, the Regulation on Maritime Navigation Planning (approved by Royal Decree 186/2023 of 21 March), was published in the Spanish Official State Gazette, introducing important measures, among which the following should be highlighted:
- Simplified ‘charter license’
A simplified clearance regime is established to allow charter yachts to operate in Spain. This procedure consists of the presentation of a simple affidavit of responsibility. Under the simplified clearance, yachts carrying out commercial activity and/or with a professional crew will be allowed to start their activity from the moment they submit the affidavit of responsibility, together with a declaration from the captain, and the crew list. However, EU or third-country-flagged yachts applying for the first time for the charter license will have to obtain it according to the previous ‘charter license’ procedure.
According to the approved regulation, the system will start on 1 July 2024, but the Spanish authorities will make every effort to ensure that this system is already applied in the coming summer season of 2023.
2. Repeal of Order of 4 December 1985
Another very important measure is this express repeal on yacht chartering.
Firstly, because it will allow the chartering of non-EU flagged vessels under 14 metres in length and;
Secondly, this order has given rise to binding rulings of the Spanish Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) – e.g. ruling V2267-22- yacht-owning companies must prove their residence in Spain and hold a so-called “establishment” in Spain (i.e. a place from which the charter activity is carried out in whole or in part).
Company Background:
Co-founded by yachting professionals Boris De Bel and Candice Christiansen, Charter Itinerary was created out of frustration with the itinerary creation process. With a combined 25-year background in yacht management and the charter industry, the founders have a clear understanding of what their clients require. After launching in 2021, Charter Itinerary has shown evident success and they are now expanding their platform, aiming to be a holistic platform for the complete charter booking process.
For further information, please contact:
Gabriella Richardson
Founder – Yachting Ventures
Tel: +34711041426
gabriella@yachtingventures.co
